The Murray Jensens: May 2016

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Day two in Kauai

We got out of bed since we were on Utah time anyway at 5:45 and walked down to the lagoon behind the hotel with our bagels and naked juice to watch the sunrise. There were 100's of crabs on the beach. They were half the fun. We shared our bagels with them and watched them dig holes so diligently. We headed to 9:00 church with Pratts. The chapel was so unique. All the rooms open to the main courtyard. The chapel has glass doors all along both sides of it to open up to the outside for cooling down. There were probably 15 fans hanging from the ceiling in the chapel. A "auntie" came and gave me a lei to wear for the day. We all helped make a "microwave/Forman" Sunday dinner of Cuban marinated chicken, potatoes and broccoli.

Ryan and I left after church to drive up to Hanalei Bay on the north shore. We drove till we reached Ke'e beach and the road literally stops because we'd reached the Napoli coast. We were not planning on it but once we got there we decided that we would just start hiking it and see how far we got because of my ankle-- and so we did for about 1 mile not realizing how rigorous it would be. We were basically hiking in the middle of a rain forest and the views were absolutely stunning! It was breathtaking the views from the hike. And a little scary at parts. My ankle really felt weak after about an hour and a half and we turned around to hike back. My legs were shaking by the time we got to the car. It was TOTALLY worth it. We ate at a place called Pinks and got a pork/pineapple grilled cheese and went to the pier at Hanalei Bay to watch the sunset--too cloudy though. However, sitting there without anywhere to be and no one to be responsible for was soooo relaxing. A great end to a beautiful day all around.

Watching the sunrise together. There were hundreds of crabs burying and scurrying everywhere.

Bagels on the beach at sunrise--a Haynie favorite tradition

The "yard" for the Pratts cottage (there are many cottages)

A super nice "auntie" came and gave me her lei that she was wearing at church today. It felt a little like being back in teh Hollywood ward.

All the doors to the church open to this courtyard and the chapel is all open with lots of fans. Very unique.

Sunday dinner--cooked in a microwave--delish!

Hanalei Bay and the valley near it

Looking down from the beginning of our hike along the Napoli coast. Lots of incline right away. Oh it was so so so beautiful!

Better view of the coast

Some coconut juices to power up afterward. Ryan wasnt a huge fan!

Just off the highway heading up to North Shore -- huge contrast to South Shore.

Waimea Canyon -- So awesome to see this dry country on the same island contrasting the north shore.

Overlooking the Napali Coast from Kalalau Lookout Point -- One of the most amazing views we have ever seen. Plus, we happen to catch this view on a perfectly clear day. Pretty cool to have traveled on a raft down there along the coastline and then to drive/hike up to the top and see it from above as well. The Lord did some of his best work here on the island of Kuaui! :)

Day one in Kauai

Well...we were going to San Francisco for a trip and, when Dave and Karla ended up in Hawaii for 6 weeks, we changed plans very last second and took off to Hawaii!

We got in at 2:30 AM Utah time and slept in until NOON (Utah time). Yikes. Honolulu Airport was so open and all cement. Very different. In Lihue the airport check lines are all outside. There is a separate really nice bedroom that we stayed at with the Pratts.

First thing when we woke up James came running home from the park behind their house screaming because a chicken attacked him. (The Hilton Garden Inn "chicken plan" became personal for

Dave--inside joke). We loaded up and headed to Poipu Beach because the Pratts had not been to that beach before. Amazing snorkeling--the reef was near the shore and there were tons of fish, sea snake etc. Ryan boogie boarded while Dave surfed. We got fried. Dang it. But is was so awesome!

We went to spouting horn and on the way stopped every half mile to capture beauty on our phones. Hello. Dave and Karla stole our backpack out of the car and really made us freak out for a few minutes--like really freak out, they have a great video of it all going down as they sit filming and watching us discover the bag gone and the ensuing yikes moments. Ryan puts flowers in my ear at every stop. We ate at Bubbas burgers with Pratts--delish! We raced to a bike shop in Kapa'a and rented bikes for 2 hours and biked part of the east shore. A monk seal was kickin' it on one of the beaches-Kuna bay--so we locked up the bikes and hiked down to see it. Little did we know it's against the law. The whole day was so fun!! That night we bought some food to make for Sunday dinner, ate Ben and Jerrys with Dave and Karla and crashed in bed.